New details of £51m Sheffield Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre plan revealed

Sheffield Council has approved spending £51 on the scheme which would transform Springs Leisure Centre, near Arbourthorne, and is renaming it in honour of the former Premier League football referee, Uriah Rennie, from Sheffield, who died last year.

But the planning application, submitted this week, shows that the project would bring the loss of a playing field as a result.

A lengthy design and access statement accompanying the application confirms the loss of a playing field, but also gives details of how there will be artwork in memory of Mr Rennie, who died last year aged 65, and shows how some of the inside of the new building would look.

It states: “The proposed development is for an indoor or outdoor facility for sport, the provision of which would be of sufficient benefit to the development of sport as to outweigh the detriment caused by the loss, or prejudice to the use, of the area of playing field.

“Sport England considers that the proposal would have significant benefits to sport and would represent an improved and updated leisure centre offer. There would be a loss of playing field as a result but given the constraints and configuration of the playing field land, its capacity and capability to accommodate pitches is limited to a small-sided pitch(es).”

It added consideration of an alternative use of the site of the demolished leisure centre for sport would be welcome.

It also states that a separate Springs Academy Strategic Needs Assessment has been carried out to consider the future use of land released through the demolition of the existing leisure centre building. This assessment recommends the provision of a hardstanding/tarmac surface to support school and community sports use, ensuring continued sporting benefit on site.

The assessment also references longer-term aspirations for a 3G pitch. But this is being progressed by Springs Academy as a separate project.

The new leisure centre will include a modern six-lane 25m swimming pool and learner pool; state-of-the-art health and fitness gyms; five-court sports hall, wellbeing spa and health suite; indoor bowls facilities; studio spaces for group fitness classes; soft play facilities for families; modern café and social space; wet and dry changing facilities; and accessibility improvements.

New artists impressions show how the cafe and the pool are expected to look, with windows between the two areas.

The new leisure centre will be renamed the Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre, in recognition of the former ref’s achievements and contribution to Sheffield.

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Mr Rennie grew up in Sheffield and made history as the first black referee to officiate in the Premier League, going on to referee hundreds of matches

The plans state: “Public art is proposed to bring creativity and vibrancy to the green frontage of the building, with elements visible from East Bank Road.

“The artwork will be shaped by local input and will seek to reflect and celebrate Uriah Rennie’s legacy as a trailblazer and role model, creating a welcoming and distinctive identity for the leisure centre and its setting. “